Terri McCormick's Blog

Found- The Best and Easiest Ways to Stay in Shape!

by Terri McCormick,posted May 31 2011 7:25AM

This is the time of year we all want to get and stay in shape and I've found 21 fantastic ways to stay in shape. They are so practical and easy that everyone can do them! I swear by these! Here's to a healthy and happy summer!! 1. 3 meals & a snack is enough
If the right healthy and balanced meals are chosen, this is very possible. It is all about training your mind and your body.
2. Don’t waste calories
Try eliminating those moments when you continue to eat even when the food doesn’t taste very good or when you’re in the car – can you really savor what you’re eating? Another way to stop losing calories is to watch what liquids you drink, and when in doubt, drink water.
3. Just walk
Whether it is a vigorous multi-mile walk, working in the yard, cleaning the house or walking to town to do some errands, try to incorporate it somehow into your day. Once you become in the habit of doing this, you will get to a point where you will crave this time to be with yourself.
4. Avoid the sugary treats in the AM
Yes, the beautifully decorated and tasty temptations are everywhere when you’re stopping to get your morning caffeine, but try to pass them up as they will not carry you through until lunch.
5. Green tea in the morning
Known to suppress appetite and ever so slightly, speed up the metabolism.
6. Fiber to fill you up for breakfast (oatmeal or steel oats)7. Eat your veggies and don’t worry how many. Minus the dip.8. Almonds – a simple snack
One of my favorite afternoon snacks is a handful of almonds, a half of an apple and a few slices of parmesan cheese – oh, and a cup of tea if I can find hot water at work.
9. Eat at a table, enjoy the conversation or something engaging to read10. Your body has all the resistance you need (yoga anyone?)
Try to include one or two sessions of strength training each week, and if you’re worried about bulking up, smaller weights – more reps, or yoga and pilates which require you to use your own body weight – lengthening, not bulking up, your muscles.
11. Find something else to focus on besides food12. Immerse yourself in your passion and get happy
I can look back on the times in my life when I gained a few pounds and those other times when I magically lost a few, and for me both correlated perfectly with my state of happiness and contentedness (happy – weight loss, doubtful – weight gain). Instead of trying to find happiness outside of yourself, seek it from within and discover your passion. Once you find out what that is, find a way to enjoy it as much as possible.
13. Read French Women Don’t Get Fat
I finally realized it was okay, just to walk and I’ve never looked back. Thank you Mireille!
14. Eat in season as best you can15. Walk your dog(s) 16. Talk positively about yourself
You can reach the goals you have set for yourself. Be patience, be determined, but be gentle – not too gentle though. :)
17. Accept compliments
As Oprah reminds us, we are enough just as we are, so it is imperative to filter any negative or hurtful comments and to not brush aside genuine compliments.
18. Surround yourself with people who enjoy an active, yet balanced and healthy lifestyle19. Stay out of the kitchen until meal time. Eliminate grazing.20. Give your body time to settle into the new habits
It will take time. Once your body becomes accustomed to eating at a certain time and a certain amount, it will think it needs it and remind you. You must be patient, but resolute. In time, your body’s habits will change and you will wonder how you ever did what you used to do.
21. Enjoy your food, savor it and in small portions
By savoring your food, you are allowing yourself to slow down and when you do this, you are decreasing the amount of calories you are consuming. It takes approximately 20 minutes for your mind to get the message that you are full, so take your time until the message arrives and enjoy your company and the individual flavors that the chef took such loving care to incorporate.